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Schwardmann LS, Benninghaus L, Lindner SN, Wendisch VF. Prospects of formamide as nitrogen source in biotechnological production processes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:105. [PMID: 38204134 PMCID: PMC10781810 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12962-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
This review presents an analysis of formamide, focussing on its occurrence in nature, its functional roles, and its promising applications in the context of the bioeconomy. We discuss the utilization of formamide as an innovative nitrogen source achieved through metabolic engineering. These approaches underscore formamide's potential in supporting growth and production in biotechnological processes. Furthermore, our review illuminates formamide's role as a nitrogen source capable of safeguarding cultivation systems against contamination in non-sterile conditions. This attribute adds an extra layer of practicality to its application, rendering it an attractive candidate for sustainable and resilient industrial practices. Additionally, the article unveils the versatility of formamide as a potential carbon source that could be combined with formate or CO2 assimilation pathways. However, its attributes, i.e., enriched nitrogen content and comparatively limited energy content, led to conclude that formamide is more suitable as a co-substrate and that its use as a sole source of carbon for biomass and bio-production is limited. Through our exploration of formamide's properties and its applications, this review underscores the significance of formamide as valuable resource for a large spectrum of industrial applications. KEY POINTS: • Formidases enable access to formamide as source of nitrogen, carbon, and energy • The formamide/formamidase system supports non-sterile fermentation • The nitrogen source formamide supports production of nitrogenous compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn S Schwardmann
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- , Aminoverse B.V., Daelderweg 9, 6361 HK, Nuth, Beekdaelen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie Benninghaus
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker F Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
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2
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Li K, Guo Y, Sun X, Xi X, Wang L, Ren X, Wang C, Liu X. Whole-cell biocatalysis for ε-poly-l-lysine production by a food-grade recombinant Bacillus subtilis. Enzyme Microb Technol 2024; 179:110467. [PMID: 38852284 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2024.110467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
ε-Poly-l-lysine (ε-PL), a natural food preservative with various advantages, is primarily produced by Streptomyces. It has attracted considerable attentions for the outstanding antibacterial activity, safety, heat stability, water solubility and other remarkable properties. In this study, a food-grade recombinant Bacillus subtilis was constructed for the biocatalysis of ε-PL. Firstly, the d-alanine racemase gene (alrA) was deleted from the genome of Bacillus subtilis 168 to construct an auxotrophic B. subtilis 168 (alrA-). Based on the shuttle plasmid pMA5, a food-grade plasmid pMA5a was constructed by replacing the genes of kanamycin resistance (Kanr) and ampicillin resistance (Ampr) with alrA and the gene encoding α-peptide of β-galactosidase (lacZα), respectively. Subsequently, codon-optimized ε-PL synthase gene (pls) and P-pls were ligated into pMA5a and transformed in E. coli DH5α and expressed in B. subtilis 168 (alrA-). Finally, the whole-cell biocatalysis conditions for ε-PL production by B. subtilis 168 (alrA-)/pMA5a-pls were optimized, and the optimal conditions were 30°C, pH 4, l-lysine concentration of 0.6 g/L, bacterial concentration of 15 % (w/v) and a catalytic time of 7 h. The ε-PL production reached a maximum of 0.33 ± 0.03 g/L. The product was verified to be ε-PL by HPLC and tricine-SDS-PAGE. The information obtained in this study shows critical reference for the food-grade heterologous expression of ε-PL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunpeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Yangzi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Xinjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Xiangheng Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Xidong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China.
| | - Chenying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; School of Food Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China.
| | - Xinli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
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3
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Cai T, Han Y, Wang J, Li W, Lu X, Zhen G. Natural defence mechanisms of electrochemically active biofilms: From the perspective of microbial adaptation, survival strategies and antibiotic resistance. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 262:122104. [PMID: 39032331 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemically active biofilms (EABs) play an ever-growingly critical role in the biological treatment of wastewater due to its low carbon footprint and sustainability. However, how the multispecies biofilms adapt, survive and become tolerant under acute and chronic toxicity such as antibiotic stress still remains well un-recognized. Here, the stress responses of EABs to tetracycline concentrations (CTC) and different operation schemes were comprehensively investigated. Results show that EABs can quickly adapt (start-up time is barely affected) to low CTC (≤ 5 μM) exposure while the adaptation time of EABs increases and the bioelectrocatalytic activity decreases at CTC ≥ 10 μM. EABs exhibit a good resilience and high anti-shocking capacity under chronic and acute TC stress, respectively. But chronic effects negatively affect the metabolic activity and extracellular electron transfer, and simultaneously change the spatial morphology and microbial community structure of EABs. Particularly, the typical exoelectrogens Geobacter anodireducens can be selectively enriched under chronic TC stress with relative abundance increasing from 45.11% to 85.96%, showing stronger TC tolerance than methanogens. This may be attributed to the effective survival strategies of EABs in response to TC stress, including antibiotic efflux regulated by tet(C) at the molecular level and the secretion of more extracellular proteins in the macro scale, as the C=O bond in amide I of aromatic amino acids plays a critical role in alleviating the damage of TC to cells. Overall, this study highlights the versatile defences of EABs in terms of microbial adaptation, survival strategies, and antibiotic resistance, and deepens the understanding of microbial communities' evolution of EABs in response to acute and chronic TC stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Cai
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yule Han
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jiayi Wang
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Wanjiang Li
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xueqin Lu
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Guangyin Zhen
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, Shanghai, 200241, China; Technology Innovation Center for Land Spatial Eco-restoration in Metropolitan Area, Ministry of Natural Resources, 3663 N. Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China.
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4
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Li Y, Liu M, Yang C, Fu H, Wang J. Engineering microbial metabolic homeostasis for chemicals production. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024:1-20. [PMID: 39004513 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2024.2371465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Microbial-based bio-refining promotes the development of a biotechnology revolution to encounter and tackle the enormous challenges in petroleum-based chemical production by biomanufacturing, biocomputing, and biosensing. Nevertheless, microbial metabolic homeostasis is often incompatible with the efficient synthesis of bioproducts mainly due to: inefficient metabolic flow, robust central metabolism, sophisticated metabolic network, and inevitable environmental perturbation. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes how to optimize microbial metabolic homeostasis by strengthening metabolic flux for improving biotransformation turnover, redirecting metabolic direction for rewiring bypass pathway, and reprogramming metabolic network for boosting substrate utilization. Future directions are also proposed for providing constructive guidance on the development of industrial biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingxiong Liu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changyang Yang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongxin Fu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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Schann K, Bakker J, Boinot M, Kuschel P, He H, Nattermann M, Paczia N, Erb T, Bar‐Even A, Wenk S. Design, construction and optimization of formaldehyde growth biosensors with broad application in biotechnology. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14527. [PMID: 39031508 PMCID: PMC11259041 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Formaldehyde is a key metabolite in natural and synthetic one-carbon metabolism. To facilitate the engineering of formaldehyde-producing enzymes, the development of sensitive, user-friendly, and cost-effective detection methods is required. In this study, we engineered Escherichia coli to serve as a cellular biosensor capable of detecting a broad range of formaldehyde concentrations. Using both natural and promiscuous formaldehyde assimilation enzymes, we designed three distinct E. coli growth biosensor strains that depend on formaldehyde for cell growth. These strains were engineered to be auxotrophic for one or several essential metabolites that could be produced through formaldehyde assimilation. The respective assimilating enzyme was expressed from the genome to compensate the auxotrophy in the presence of formaldehyde. We first predicted the formaldehyde dependency of the biosensors by flux balance analysis and then analysed it experimentally. Subsequent to strain engineering, we enhanced the formaldehyde sensitivity of two biosensors either through adaptive laboratory evolution or modifications at metabolic branch points. The final set of biosensors demonstrated the ability to detect formaldehyde concentrations ranging approximately from 30 μM to 13 mM. We demonstrated the application of the biosensors by assaying the in vivo activity of different methanol dehydrogenases in the most sensitive strain. The fully genomic nature of the biosensors allows them to be deployed as "plug-and-play" devices for high-throughput screenings of extensive enzyme libraries. The formaldehyde growth biosensors developed in this study hold significant promise for advancing the field of enzyme engineering, thereby supporting the establishment of a sustainable one-carbon bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Schann
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Jenny Bakker
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Maximilian Boinot
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Pauline Kuschel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Hai He
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | | | - Nicole Paczia
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | - Tobias Erb
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | - Arren Bar‐Even
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Sebastian Wenk
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
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Guo Y, Zhang R, Wang J, Qin R, Feng J, Chen K, Wang X. Engineering yeasts to Co-utilize methanol or formate coupled with CO 2 fixation. Metab Eng 2024; 84:1-12. [PMID: 38759777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The development of synthetic microorganisms that could use one-carbon compounds, such as carbon dioxide, methanol, or formate, has received considerable interest. In this study, we engineered Pichia pastoris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to both synthetic methylotrophy and formatotrophy, enabling them to co-utilize methanol or formate with CO2 fixation through a synthetic C1-compound assimilation pathway (MFORG pathway). This pathway consisted of a methanol-formate oxidation module and the reductive glycine pathway. We first assembled the MFORG pathway in P. pastoris using endogenous enzymes, followed by blocking the native methanol assimilation pathway, modularly engineering genes of MFORG pathway, and compartmentalizing the methanol oxidation module. These modifications successfully enabled the methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris to utilize both methanol and formate. We then introduced the MFORG pathway from P. pastoris into the model yeast S. cerevisiae, establishing the synthetic methylotrophy and formatotrophy in this organism. The resulting strain could also successfully utilize both methanol and formate with consumption rates of 20 mg/L/h and 36.5 mg/L/h, respectively. The ability of the engineered P. pastoris and S. cerevisiae to co-assimilate CO2 with methanol or formate through the MFORG pathway was also confirmed by 13C-tracer analysis. Finally, production of 5-aminolevulinic acid and lactic acid by co-assimilating methanol and CO2 was demonstrated in the engineered P. pastoris and S. cerevisiae. This work indicates the potential of the MFORG pathway in developing different hosts to use various one-carbon compounds for chemical production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanke Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruirui Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kequan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China.
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7
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Bidart GN, Hyeuk S, Alter TB, Yang L, Welner DH. A growth selection system for sucrose synthases (SuSy): design and test. AMB Express 2024; 14:70. [PMID: 38865019 PMCID: PMC11169191 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-024-01727-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
High throughput screening (HTS) methods of enzyme variants are essential for the development of robust biocatalysts suited for low impact, industrial scale, biobased synthesis of a myriad of compounds. However, for the majority of enzyme classes, current screening methods have limited throughput, or need expensive substrates in combination with sophisticated setups. Here, we present a straightforward, high throughput selection system that couples sucrose synthase activity to growth. Enabling high throughput screening of this enzyme class holds the potential to facilitate the creation of robust variants, which in turn can significantly impact the future of cost effective industrial glycosylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo N Bidart
- The Novo Nordisk Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Se Hyeuk
- The Novo Nordisk Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Tobias Benedikt Alter
- The Novo Nordisk Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
- RWTH Aachen University, Templergraben 55, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lei Yang
- The Novo Nordisk Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Ditte Hededam Welner
- The Novo Nordisk Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark.
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Li K, Zhang X, Li C, Liang YC, Zhao XQ, Liu CG, Sinskey AJ, Bai FW. Systems metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum to assimilate formic acid for biomass accumulation and succinic acid production. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 402:130774. [PMID: 38701983 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Formate as an ideal mediator between the physicochemical and biological realms can be obtained from electrochemical reduction of CO2 and used to produce bio-chemicals. Yet, limitations arise when employing natural formate-utilizing microorganisms due to restricted product range and low biomass yield. This study presents a breakthrough: engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum strains (L2-L4) through modular engineering. L2 incorporates the formate-tetrahydrofolate cycle and reverse glycine cleavage pathway, L3 enhances NAD(P)H regeneration, and L4 reinforces metabolic flux. Metabolic modeling elucidates C1 assimilation, guiding strain optimization for co-fermentation of formate and glucose. Strain L4 achieves an OD600 of 0.5 and produces 0.6 g/L succinic acid. 13C-labeled formate confirms C1 assimilation, and further laboratory evolution yields 1.3 g/L succinic acid. This study showcases a successful model for biologically assimilating formate in C. glutamicum that could be applied in C1-based biotechnological production, ultimately forming a formate-based bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Yu-Cheng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xin-Qing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chen-Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Anthony J Sinskey
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Feng-Wu Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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9
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Jones EM, Marken JP, Silver PA. Synthetic microbiology in sustainability applications. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:345-359. [PMID: 38253793 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-01007-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms are a promising means to address many societal sustainability challenges owing to their ability to thrive in diverse environments and interface with the microscale chemical world via diverse metabolic capacities. Synthetic biology can engineer microorganisms by rewiring their regulatory networks or introducing new functionalities, enhancing their utility for target applications. In this Review, we provide a broad, high-level overview of various research efforts addressing sustainability challenges through synthetic biology, emphasizing foundational microbiological research questions that can accelerate the development of these efforts. We introduce an organizational framework that categorizes these efforts along three domains - factory, farm and field - that are defined by the extent to which the engineered microorganisms interface with the natural external environment. Different application areas within the same domain share many fundamental challenges, highlighting productive opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations between researchers working in historically disparate fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan M Jones
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John P Marken
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Resnick Sustainability Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Chen J, Chen W, Zhang J, Zhao H, Cui J, Wu J, Shi A. Dual effects of endogenous formaldehyde on the organism and drugs for its removal. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:798-817. [PMID: 37766419 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous formaldehyde (FA) is produced in the human body via various mechanisms to preserve healthy energy metabolism and safeguard the organism. However, endogenous FA can have several negative effects on the body through epigenetic alterations, including cancer growth promotion; neuronal, hippocampal and endothelial damages; atherosclerosis acceleration; haemopoietic stem cell destruction and haemopoietic cell production reduction. Certain medications with antioxidant effects, such as glutathione, vitamin E, resveratrol, alpha lipoic acid and polyphenols, lessen the detrimental effects of endogenous FA by reducing oxidative stress, directly scavenging endogenous FA or promoting its degradation. This study offers fresh perspectives for managing illnesses associated with endogenous FA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcosmic Syndrome Differentiation, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Wenhui Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcosmic Syndrome Differentiation, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Jinjia Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcosmic Syndrome Differentiation, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Huanhuan Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcosmic Syndrome Differentiation, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Ji Cui
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcosmic Syndrome Differentiation, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Junzi Wu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcosmic Syndrome Differentiation, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Department of Basic Medical, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Anhua Shi
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcosmic Syndrome Differentiation, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
- Department of Basic Medical, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
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11
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Zhang Y, Sun T, Liu L, Cao X, Zhang W, Wang W, Li C. Engineering a solar formic acid/pentose (SFAP) pathway in Escherichia coli for lactic acid production. Metab Eng 2024; 83:150-159. [PMID: 38621518 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Microbial CO2 fixation into lactic acid (LA) is an important approach for low-carbon biomanufacturing. Engineering microbes to utilize CO2 and sugar as co-substrates can create efficient pathways through input of moderate reducing power to drive CO2 fixation into product. However, to achieve complete conservation of organic carbon, how to engineer the CO2-fixing modules compatible with native central metabolism and merge the processes for improving bioproduction of LA is a big challenge. In this study, we designed and constructed a solar formic acid/pentose (SFAP) pathway in Escherichia coli, which enabled CO2 fixation merging into sugar catabolism to produce LA. In the SFAP pathway, adequate reducing equivalents from formate oxidation drive glucose metabolism shifting from glycolysis to the pentose phosphate pathway. The Rubisco-based CO2 fixation and sequential reduction of C3 intermediates are conducted to produce LA stoichiometrically. CO2 fixation theoretically can bring a 20% increase of LA production compared with sole glucose feedstock. This SFAP pathway in the integration of photoelectrochemical cell and an engineered Escherichia coli opens an efficient way for fixing CO2 into value-added bioproducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Linqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xupeng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Weiwen Zhang
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Wangyin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Can Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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12
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Li Y, Cao M, Gupta VK, Wang Y. Metabolic engineering strategies to enable microbial electrosynthesis utilization of CO 2: recent progress and challenges. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024; 44:352-372. [PMID: 36775662 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2023.2167065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising technology that mainly utilizes microbial cells to convert CO2 into value-added chemicals using electrons provided by the cathode. However, the low electron transfer rate is a solid bottleneck hindering the further application of MES. Thus, as an effective strategy, genetic tools play a key role in MES for enhancing the electron transfer rate and diversity of production. We describe a set of genetic strategies based on fundamental characteristics and current successes and discuss their functional mechanisms in driving microbial electrocatalytic reactions to fully comprehend the roles and uses of genetic tools in MES. This paper also analyzes the process of nanomaterial application in extracellular electron transfer (EET). It provides a technique that combines nanomaterials and genetic tools to increase MES efficiency, because nanoparticles have a role in the production of functional genes in EET although genetic tools can subvert MES, it still has issues with difficult transformation and low expression levels. Genetic tools remain one of the most promising future strategies for advancing the MES process despite these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Li
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biotechnology of Xiamen City, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Mingfeng Cao
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biotechnology of Xiamen City, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen, China
| | - Vijai Kumar Gupta
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Center, SRUC, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yuanpeng Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biotechnology of Xiamen City, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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13
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Orsi E, Schada von Borzyskowski L, Noack S, Nikel PI, Lindner SN. Automated in vivo enzyme engineering accelerates biocatalyst optimization. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3447. [PMID: 38658554 PMCID: PMC11043082 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46574-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Achieving cost-competitive bio-based processes requires development of stable and selective biocatalysts. Their realization through in vitro enzyme characterization and engineering is mostly low throughput and labor-intensive. Therefore, strategies for increasing throughput while diminishing manual labor are gaining momentum, such as in vivo screening and evolution campaigns. Computational tools like machine learning further support enzyme engineering efforts by widening the explorable design space. Here, we propose an integrated solution to enzyme engineering challenges whereby ML-guided, automated workflows (including library generation, implementation of hypermutation systems, adapted laboratory evolution, and in vivo growth-coupled selection) could be realized to accelerate pipelines towards superior biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Orsi
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Stephan Noack
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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14
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Reiter MA, Bradley T, Büchel LA, Keller P, Hegedis E, Gassler T, Vorholt JA. A synthetic methylotrophic Escherichia coli as a chassis for bioproduction from methanol. Nat Catal 2024; 7:560-573. [PMID: 38828428 PMCID: PMC11136667 DOI: 10.1038/s41929-024-01137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Methanol synthesized from captured greenhouse gases is an emerging renewable feedstock with great potential for bioproduction. Recent research has raised the prospect of methanol bioconversion to value-added products using synthetic methylotrophic Escherichia coli, as its metabolism can be rewired to enable growth solely on the reduced one-carbon compound. Here we describe the generation of an E. coli strain that grows on methanol at a doubling time of 4.3 h-comparable to many natural methylotrophs. To establish bioproduction from methanol using this synthetic chassis, we demonstrate biosynthesis from four metabolic nodes from which numerous bioproducts can be derived: lactic acid from pyruvate, polyhydroxybutyrate from acetyl coenzyme A, itaconic acid from the tricarboxylic acid cycle and p-aminobenzoic acid from the chorismate pathway. In a step towards carbon-negative chemicals and valorizing greenhouse gases, our work brings synthetic methylotrophy in E. coli within reach of industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Reiter
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Bradley
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars A. Büchel
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Keller
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emese Hegedis
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gassler
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia A. Vorholt
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Yin X, Zhou G, Cai M, Richter-Heitmann T, Zhu QZ, Maeke M, Kulkarni AC, Nimzyk R, Elvert M, Friedrich MW. Physiological versatility of ANME-1 and Bathyarchaeotoa-8 archaea evidenced by inverse stable isotope labeling. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:68. [PMID: 38570877 PMCID: PMC10988981 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01779-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The trophic strategy is one key principle to categorize microbial lifestyles, by broadly classifying microorganisms based on the combination of their preferred carbon sources, electron sources, and electron sinks. Recently, a novel trophic strategy, i.e., chemoorganoautotrophy-the utilization of organic carbon as energy source but inorganic carbon as sole carbon source-has been specifically proposed for anaerobic methane oxidizing archaea (ANME-1) and Bathyarchaeota subgroup 8 (Bathy-8). RESULTS To further explore chemoorganoautotrophy, we employed stable isotope probing (SIP) of nucleic acids (rRNA or DNA) using unlabeled organic carbon and 13C-labeled dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), i.e., inverse stable isotope labeling, in combination with metagenomics. We found that ANME-1 archaea actively incorporated 13C-DIC into RNA in the presence of methane and lepidocrocite when sulfate was absent, but assimilated organic carbon when cellulose was added to incubations without methane additions. Bathy-8 archaea assimilated 13C-DIC when lignin was amended; however, their DNA was derived from both inorganic and organic carbon sources rather than from inorganic carbon alone. Based on SIP results and supported by metagenomics, carbon transfer between catabolic and anabolic branches of metabolism is possible in these archaeal groups, indicating their anabolic versatility. CONCLUSION We provide evidence for the incorporation of the mixed organic and inorganic carbon by ANME-1 and Bathy-8 archaea in the environment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuran Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Renmin Ave. No.58, Haikou, 570228, China.
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Strasse 1, Bremen, D-28359, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany.
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 8, Bremen, D-28359, Germany.
| | - Guowei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Renmin Ave. No.58, Haikou, 570228, China
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mingwei Cai
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tim Richter-Heitmann
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Strasse 1, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
| | - Qing-Zeng Zhu
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 8, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
| | - Mara Maeke
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Strasse 1, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 8, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
| | - Ajinkya C Kulkarni
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Strasse 1, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
| | - Rolf Nimzyk
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Strasse 1, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
| | - Marcus Elvert
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 8, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
- Faculty of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael W Friedrich
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Strasse 1, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
- MARUM-Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 8, Bremen, D-28359, Germany
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16
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Schulz-Mirbach H, Dronsella B, He H, Erb TJ. Creating new-to-nature carbon fixation: A guide. Metab Eng 2024; 82:12-28. [PMID: 38160747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims at designing new biological functions from first principles. These new designs allow to expand the natural solution space and overcome the limitations of naturally evolved systems. One example is synthetic CO2-fixation pathways that promise to provide more efficient ways for the capture and conversion of CO2 than natural pathways, such as the Calvin Benson Bassham (CBB) cycle of photosynthesis. In this review, we provide a practical guideline for the design and realization of such new-to-nature CO2-fixation pathways. We introduce the concept of "synthetic CO2-fixation", and give a general overview over the enzymology and topology of synthetic pathways, before we derive general principles for their design from their eight naturally evolved analogs. We provide a comprehensive summary of synthetic carbon-assimilation pathways and derive a step-by-step, practical guide from the theoretical design to their practical implementation, before ending with an outlook on new developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Schulz-Mirbach
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Beau Dronsella
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hai He
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias J Erb
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany; Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 16, D-35043, Marburg, Germany.
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17
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Ben Nissan R, Milshtein E, Pahl V, de Pins B, Jona G, Levi D, Yung H, Nir N, Ezra D, Gleizer S, Link H, Noor E, Milo R. Autotrophic growth of Escherichia coli is achieved by a small number of genetic changes. eLife 2024; 12:RP88793. [PMID: 38381041 PMCID: PMC10942610 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic autotrophy is a promising avenue to sustainable bioproduction from CO2. Here, we use iterative laboratory evolution to generate several distinct autotrophic strains. Utilising this genetic diversity, we identify that just three mutations are sufficient for Escherichia coli to grow autotrophically, when introduced alongside non-native energy (formate dehydrogenase) and carbon-fixing (RuBisCO, phosphoribulokinase, carbonic anhydrase) modules. The mutated genes are involved in glycolysis (pgi), central-carbon regulation (crp), and RNA transcription (rpoB). The pgi mutation reduces the enzyme's activity, thereby stabilising the carbon-fixing cycle by capping a major branching flux. For the other two mutations, we observe down-regulation of several metabolic pathways and increased expression of native genes associated with the carbon-fixing module (rpiB) and the energy module (fdoGH), as well as an increased ratio of NADH/NAD+ - the cycle's electron-donor. This study demonstrates the malleability of metabolism and its capacity to switch trophic modes using only a small number of genetic changes and could facilitate transforming other heterotrophic organisms into autotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roee Ben Nissan
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Eliya Milshtein
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Vanessa Pahl
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Benoit de Pins
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Ghil Jona
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Dikla Levi
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Hadas Yung
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Noga Nir
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Dolev Ezra
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Shmuel Gleizer
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Hannes Link
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Elad Noor
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Ron Milo
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
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18
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Ma ZX, Feng CX, Song YZ, Sun J, Shao Y, Song SZ, Wan B, Zhang C, Fan H, Bao K, Yang S. Engineering photo-methylotrophic Methylobacterium for enhanced 3-hydroxypropionic acid production during non-growth stage fermentation. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130104. [PMID: 38008225 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the potential of methanol as a sustainable feedstock for biomanufacturing, focusing on Methylobacterium extorquens, a well-established representative of methylotrophic cell factories. Despite this bacterium's long history, its untapped photosynthetic capabilities for production enhancement have remained unreported. Using genome-scale flux balance analysis, it was hypothesized that introducing photon fluxes could boost the yield of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), an energy- and reducing equivalent-consuming chemicals. To realize this, M. extorquens was genetically modified by eliminating the negative regulator of photosynthesis, leading to improved ATP levels and metabolic activity in non-growth cells during a two-stage fermentation process. This modification resulted in a remarkable 3.0-fold increase in 3-HP titer and a 2.1-fold increase in its yield during stage (II). Transcriptomics revealed that enhanced light-driven methanol oxidation, NADH transhydrogenation, ATP generation, and fatty acid degradation were key factors. This development of photo-methylotrophy as a platform technology introduced novel opportunities for future production enhancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng-Xin Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen-Xi Feng
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Zhen Song
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Zhen Song
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Wan
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Fan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Breeding and Biotechnology, Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Animal Healthy Farming, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300381, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Bao
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, and Qingdao International Center on Microbes Utilizing Biogas, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Chen PR, Xia PF. Carbon recycling with synthetic CO 2 fixation pathways. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 85:103023. [PMID: 38007984 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the node of alleviating global climate change and supporting living organisms on Earth. Currently, the warming climate and the growing population demand enhanced CO2 fixation for a sustainable future, which stimulates innovations in biotechnology to tackle these challenges. To this endeavor, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering are enabling a promising approach to engineer synthetic carbon fixation in heterotrophic organisms combining the advantages of both autotrophs and heterotrophs. Here, we review the current advances in constructing synthetic CO2 fixation pathways and discuss the underlying design principles with confronting challenges. Moreover, we highlight the application scenarios of these designs at different concentrations of CO2, and how sustainable bioproduction can be improved. We also foresee the future of engineering synthetic carbon fixation pathways for carbon recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ru Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
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20
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Sheppard TJ, Specht DA, Barstow B. Efficiency estimates for electromicrobial production of branched-chain hydrocarbons. iScience 2024; 27:108773. [PMID: 38283329 PMCID: PMC10821168 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In electromicrobial production (EMP), electricity is used as microbial energy to produce complex molecules starting from simple compounds like CO2. The aviation industry requires sustainable fuel alternatives that can meet demands for high-altitude performance and modern emissions standards. EMP of jet fuel components provides a unique opportunity to generate fuel blends compatible with modern engines producing net-neutral emissions. Branched-chain hydrocarbons modulate the boiling and freezing points of liquid fuels at high altitudes. In this study, we analyze the pathways necessary to generate branched-chain hydrocarbons in vivo utilizing extracellular electron uptake (EEU) and H2-oxidation for electron delivery, the Calvin cycle for CO2-fixation and the aldehyde deformolating oxygenase decarboxylation pathway. We find the maximum electrical-to-fuel energy conversion efficiencies to be 40.0 - 4.4 + 0.6 % and 39.8 - 4.5 + 0.7 % . For a model blend containing straight-chain, branched-chain, and terpenoid components, increasing the fraction of branched-chain alkanes from zero to 47% only lowers the electrical energy conversion efficiency from 40.1 - 4.5 + 0.7 % to 39.5 - 4.6 + 0.7 % .
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Sheppard
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - David A. Specht
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Buz Barstow
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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21
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Bysani VR, Alam AS, Bar-Even A, Machens F. Engineering and evolution of the complete Reductive Glycine Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for formate and CO 2 assimilation. Metab Eng 2024; 81:167-181. [PMID: 38040111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Using captured CO2 and C1-feedstocks like formate and methanol derived from electrochemical activation of CO2 are key solutions for transforming industrial processes towards a circular carbon economy. Engineering formate and CO2-based growth in the biotechnologically relevant yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae could boost the emergence of a formate-mediated circular bio-economy. This study adopts a growth-coupled selection scheme for modular implementation of the Reductive Glycine Pathway (RGP) and subsequent Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE) to enable formate and CO2 assimilation for biomass formation in yeast. We first constructed a serine biosensor strain and then implemented the serine synthesis module of the RGP into yeast, establishing glycine and serine synthesis from formate and CO2. ALE improved the RGP-dependent growth by 8-fold. 13C-labeling experiments reveal glycine, serine, and pyruvate synthesis via the RGP, demonstrating the complete pathway activity. Further, we re-established formate and CO2-dependent growth in non-evolved biosensor strains via reverse-engineering a mutation in GDH1 identified from ALE. This mutation led to significantly more 13C-formate assimilation than in WT without any selection or overexpression of the RGP. Overall, we demonstrated the activity of the complete RGP, showing evidence for carbon transfer from formate to pyruvate coupled with CO2 assimilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viswanada R Bysani
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| | - Ayesha S Alam
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Arren Bar-Even
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Fabian Machens
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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22
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Yang X, Zhang Y, Zhao G. Artificial carbon assimilation: From unnatural reactions and pathways to synthetic autotrophic systems. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108294. [PMID: 38013126 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is being increasingly used to establish novel carbon assimilation pathways and artificial autotrophic strains that can be used in low-carbon biomanufacturing. Currently, artificial pathway design has made significant progress from advocacy to practice within a relatively short span of just over ten years. However, there is still huge scope for exploration of pathway diversity, operational efficiency, and host suitability. The accelerated research process will bring greater opportunities and challenges. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary and interpretation of representative one-carbon assimilation pathway designs and artificial autotrophic strain construction work. In addition, we propose some feasible design solutions based on existing research results and patterns to promote the development and application of artificial autotrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Yanfei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China.
| | - Guoping Zhao
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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23
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Wu T, Gómez-Coronado PA, Kubis A, Lindner SN, Marlière P, Erb TJ, Bar-Even A, He H. Engineering a synthetic energy-efficient formaldehyde assimilation cycle in Escherichia coli. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8490. [PMID: 38123535 PMCID: PMC10733421 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44247-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
One-carbon (C1) substrates, such as methanol or formate, are attractive feedstocks for circular bioeconomy. These substrates are typically converted into formaldehyde, serving as the entry point into metabolism. Here, we design an erythrulose monophosphate (EuMP) cycle for formaldehyde assimilation, leveraging a promiscuous dihydroxyacetone phosphate dependent aldolase as key enzyme. In silico modeling reveals that the cycle is highly energy-efficient, holding the potential for high bioproduct yields. Dissecting the EuMP into four modules, we use a stepwise strategy to demonstrate in vivo feasibility of the modules in E. coli sensor strains with sarcosine as formaldehyde source. From adaptive laboratory evolution for module integration, we identify key mutations enabling the accommodation of the EuMP reactions with endogenous metabolism. Overall, our study demonstrates the proof-of-concept for a highly efficient, new-to-nature formaldehyde assimilation pathway, opening a way for the development of a methylotrophic platform for a C1-fueled bioeconomy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wu
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul A Gómez-Coronado
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Armin Kubis
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philippe Marlière
- TESSSI, The European Syndicate of Synthetic Scientists and Industrialists, 81 rue Réaumur, 75002, Paris, France
| | - Tobias J Erb
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Arren Bar-Even
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Hai He
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
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24
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Sheppard TJ, Specht DA, Barstow B. Upper limit efficiency estimates for electromicrobial production of drop-in jet fuels. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 154:108506. [PMID: 37473694 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Microbes which participate in extracellular electron uptake (EEU) or H2 oxidation have the ability to manufacture organic compounds using electricity as the primary source of metabolic energy. So-called electromicrobial production could be valuable to efficiently synthesize drop-in jet fuels using renewable energy. Here, we calculate the upper limit electrical-to-fuel conversion efficiency for a model jet fuel blend containing 85% straight-chain alkanes and 15% terpenoids. When using the Calvin cycle for carbon-fixation, the energy conversion efficiency is 37.8-4.3+1.8% when using EEU for electron delivery and 40.1-4.6+0.7% when using H2 oxidation. The production efficiency can be raised to 44.2-3.7+0.5% when using the Formolase formate-assimilation pathway, and to 49.2-2.1+0.3% with the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. This efficiency can be further raised by swapping the well-known Aldehyde Deformolating Oxygenase (ADO) termination pathway with the recently discovered Fatty Acid Photodecarboxylase (FAP) pathway. If these systems were supplied with electricity from a maximally-efficient silicon solar photovoltaic, even the least efficient pathway exceeds the maximum solar-to-fuel efficiency of all known forms of photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Sheppard
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - David A Specht
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Buz Barstow
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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25
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Wagner N, Wen L, Frazão CJR, Walther T. Next-generation feedstocks methanol and ethylene glycol and their potential in industrial biotechnology. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108276. [PMID: 37918546 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fermentation processes are expected to play an important role in reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials for the production of everyday chemicals. In order to meet the growing demand for biotechnological products in the future, alternative carbon sources that do not compete with human nutrition must be exploited. The chemical conversion of the industrially emitted greenhouse gas CO2 into microbially utilizable platform chemicals such as methanol represents a sustainable strategy for the utilization of an abundant carbon source and has attracted enormous scientific interest in recent years. A relatively new approach is the microbial synthesis of products from the C2-compound ethylene glycol, which can also be synthesized from CO2 and non-edible biomass and, in addition, can be recovered from plastic waste. Here we summarize the main chemical routes for the synthesis of methanol and ethylene glycol from sustainable resources and give an overview of recent metabolic engineering work for establishing natural and synthetic microbial assimilation pathways. The different metabolic routes for C1 and C2 alcohol-dependent bioconversions were compared in terms of their theoretical maximum yields and their oxygen requirements for a wide range of value-added products. Assessment of the process engineering challenges for methanol and ethylene glycol-based fermentations underscores the theoretical advantages of new synthetic metabolic routes and advocates greater consideration of ethylene glycol, a C2 substrate that has received comparatively little attention to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Wagner
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Linxuan Wen
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Cláudio J R Frazão
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Walther
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
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26
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Han T, Nazarbekov A, Zou X, Lee SY. Recent advances in systems metabolic engineering. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 84:103004. [PMID: 37778304 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Systems metabolic engineering, which integrates metabolic engineering with systems biology, synthetic biology, and evolutionary engineering, has revolutionized the sustainable production of fuels and materials through the creation of efficient microbial cell factories. Recent advancements in systems metabolic engineering targeting different biological components of the host cell have enabled the creation of highly productive microbial cell factories. This article provides a review of the recent tools and strategies used for enzyme-, genetic module-, pathway-, flux-, genome-, and cell-level engineering, supported by illustrative examples. Furthermore, we highlight recent trends in systems metabolic engineering, which involve the application of multiple tools discussed in this review. Finally, the paper addresses the challenges and perspectives of transitioning academic-level metabolic engineering studies to commercial-scale production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehee Han
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory and Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for the BioCentury and KAIST Institute for Artificial Intelligence, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea; BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, 34141 Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Alisher Nazarbekov
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory and Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for the BioCentury and KAIST Institute for Artificial Intelligence, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea
| | - Xuan Zou
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory and Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for the BioCentury and KAIST Institute for Artificial Intelligence, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea; BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, 34141 Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yup Lee
- Metabolic and Biomolecular Engineering National Research Laboratory and Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for the BioCentury and KAIST Institute for Artificial Intelligence, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea; BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, 34141 Daejeon, the Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Engineering Biology, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, the Republic of Korea.
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27
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Kang DK, Kim SH, Sohn JH, Sung BH. Insights into Enzyme Reactions with Redox Cofactors in Biological Conversion of CO 2. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 33:1403-1411. [PMID: 37482811 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2306.06005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most abundant component of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and directly creates environmental issues such as global warming and climate change. Carbon capture and storage have been proposed mainly to solve the problem of increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere; however, more emphasis has recently been placed on its use. Among the many methods of using CO2, one of the key environmentally friendly technologies involves biologically converting CO2 into other organic substances such as biofuels, chemicals, and biomass via various metabolic pathways. Although an efficient biocatalyst for industrial applications has not yet been developed, biological CO2 conversion is the needed direction. To this end, this review briefly summarizes seven known natural CO2 fixation pathways according to carbon number and describes recent studies in which natural CO2 assimilation systems have been applied to heterogeneous in vivo and in vitro systems. In addition, studies on the production of methanol through the reduction of CO2 are introduced. The importance of redox cofactors, which are often overlooked in the CO2 assimilation reaction by enzymes, is presented; methods for their recycling are proposed. Although more research is needed, biological CO2 conversion will play an important role in reducing GHG emissions and producing useful substances in terms of resource cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Du-Kyeong Kang
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwa Kim
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hoon Sohn
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyun Sung
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
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28
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Mitic BM, Troyer C, Lutz L, Baumschabl M, Hann S, Mattanovich D. The oxygen-tolerant reductive glycine pathway assimilates methanol, formate and CO 2 in the yeast Komagataella phaffii. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7754. [PMID: 38012236 PMCID: PMC10682033 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43610-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The current climatic change is predominantly driven by excessive anthropogenic CO2 emissions. As industrial bioprocesses primarily depend on food-competing organic feedstocks or fossil raw materials, CO2 co-assimilation or the use of CO2-derived methanol or formate as carbon sources are considered pathbreaking contributions to solving this global problem. The number of industrially-relevant microorganisms that can use these two carbon sources is limited, and even fewer can concurrently co-assimilate CO2. Here, we search for alternative native methanol and formate assimilation pathways that co-assimilate CO2 in the industrially-relevant methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris). Using 13C-tracer-based metabolomic techniques and metabolic engineering approaches, we discover and confirm a growth supporting pathway based on native enzymes that can perform all three assimilations: namely, the oxygen-tolerant reductive glycine pathway. This finding paves the way towards metabolic engineering of formate and CO2 utilisation to produce proteins, biomass, or chemicals in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd M Mitic
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Troyer
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Lutz
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Baumschabl
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Hann
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diethard Mattanovich
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
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29
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Tian J, Deng W, Zhang Z, Xu J, Yang G, Zhao G, Yang S, Jiang W, Gu Y. Discovery and remodeling of Vibrio natriegens as a microbial platform for efficient formic acid biorefinery. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7758. [PMID: 38012202 PMCID: PMC10682008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43631-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Formic acid (FA) has emerged as a promising one-carbon feedstock for biorefinery. However, developing efficient microbial hosts for economically competitive FA utilization remains a grand challenge. Here, we discover that the bacterium Vibrio natriegens has exceptional FA tolerance and metabolic capacity natively. This bacterium is remodeled by rewiring the serine cycle and the TCA cycle, resulting in a non-native closed loop (S-TCA) which as a powerful metabolic sink, in combination with laboratory evolution, enables rapid emergence of synthetic strains with significantly improved FA-utilizing ability. Further introduction of a foreign indigoidine-forming pathway into the synthetic V. natriegens strain leads to the production of 29.0 g · L-1 indigoidine and consumption of 165.3 g · L-1 formate within 72 h, achieving a formate consumption rate of 2.3 g · L-1 · h-1. This work provides an important microbial chassis as well as design rules to develop industrially viable microorganisms for FA biorefinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhong Tian
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Xianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
| | - Wangshuying Deng
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ziwen Zhang
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqi Xu
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, 311215, China
| | | | - Guoping Zhao
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Weihong Jiang
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yang Gu
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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30
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Kurt E, Qin J, Williams A, Zhao Y, Xie D. Perspectives for Using CO 2 as a Feedstock for Biomanufacturing of Fuels and Chemicals. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1357. [PMID: 38135948 PMCID: PMC10740661 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10121357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial cell factories offer an eco-friendly alternative for transforming raw materials into commercially valuable products because of their reduced carbon impact compared to conventional industrial procedures. These systems often depend on lignocellulosic feedstocks, mainly pentose and hexose sugars. One major hurdle when utilizing these sugars, especially glucose, is balancing carbon allocation to satisfy energy, cofactor, and other essential component needs for cellular proliferation while maintaining a robust yield. Nearly half or more of this carbon is inevitably lost as CO2 during the biosynthesis of regular metabolic necessities. This loss lowers the production yield and compromises the benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions-a fundamental advantage of biomanufacturing. This review paper posits the perspectives of using CO2 from the atmosphere, industrial wastes, or the exhausted gases generated in microbial fermentation as a feedstock for biomanufacturing. Achieving the carbon-neutral or -negative goals is addressed under two main strategies. The one-step strategy uses novel metabolic pathway design and engineering approaches to directly fix the CO2 toward the synthesis of the desired products. Due to the limitation of the yield and efficiency in one-step fixation, the two-step strategy aims to integrate firstly the electrochemical conversion of the exhausted CO2 into C1/C2 products such as formate, methanol, acetate, and ethanol, and a second fermentation process to utilize the CO2-derived C1/C2 chemicals or co-utilize C5/C6 sugars and C1/C2 chemicals for product formation. The potential and challenges of using CO2 as a feedstock for future biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kurt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Jiansong Qin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Alexandria Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Youbo Zhao
- Physical Sciences Inc., 20 New England Business Ctr., Andover, MA 01810, USA;
| | - Dongming Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
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31
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Zhong W, Li H, Wang Y. Design and Construction of Artificial Biological Systems for One-Carbon Utilization. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2023; 5:0021. [PMID: 37915992 PMCID: PMC10616972 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The third-generation (3G) biorefinery aims to use microbial cell factories or enzymatic systems to synthesize value-added chemicals from one-carbon (C1) sources, such as CO2, formate, and methanol, fueled by renewable energies like light and electricity. This promising technology represents an important step toward sustainable development, which can help address some of the most pressing environmental challenges faced by modern society. However, to establish processes competitive with the petroleum industry, it is crucial to determine the most viable pathways for C1 utilization and productivity and yield of the target products. In this review, we discuss the progresses that have been made in constructing artificial biological systems for 3G biorefineries in the last 10 years. Specifically, we highlight the representative works on the engineering of artificial autotrophic microorganisms, tandem enzymatic systems, and chemo-bio hybrid systems for C1 utilization. We also prospect the revolutionary impact of these developments on biotechnology. By harnessing the power of 3G biorefinery, scientists are establishing a new frontier that could potentially revolutionize our approach to industrial production and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhong
- Westlake Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering,
Westlake University, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
| | - Hailong Li
- Westlake Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering,
Westlake University, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering,
Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Westlake Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering,
Westlake University, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
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32
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Orsi E, Nikel PI, Nielsen LK, Donati S. Synergistic investigation of natural and synthetic C1-trophic microorganisms to foster a circular carbon economy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6673. [PMID: 37865689 PMCID: PMC10590403 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42166-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A true circular carbon economy must upgrade waste greenhouse gases. C1-based biomanufacturing is an attractive solution, in which one carbon (C1) molecules (e.g. CO2, formate, methanol, etc.) are converted by microbial cell factories into value-added goods (i.e. food, feed, and chemicals). To render C1-based biomanufacturing cost-competitive, we must adapt microbial metabolism to perform chemical conversions at high rates and yields. To this end, the biotechnology community has undertaken two (seemingly opposing) paths: optimizing natural C1-trophic microorganisms versus engineering synthetic C1-assimilation de novo in model microorganisms. Here, we pose how these approaches can instead create synergies for strengthening the competitiveness of C1-based biomanufacturing as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Orsi
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pablo Ivan Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Keld Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stefano Donati
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Nurwono G, O'Keeffe S, Liu N, Park JO. Sustainable metabolic engineering requires a perfect trifecta. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 83:102983. [PMID: 37573625 PMCID: PMC10960266 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The versatility of cellular metabolism in converting various substrates to products inspires sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical processes. Metabolism can be engineered to maximize the yield, rate, and titer of product generation. However, the numerous combinations of substrate, product, and organism make metabolic engineering projects difficult to navigate. A perfect trifecta of substrate, product, and organism is prerequisite for an environmentally and economically sustainable metabolic engineering endeavor. As a step toward this endeavor, we propose a reverse engineering strategy that starts with product selection, followed by substrate and organism pairing. While a large bioproduct space has been explored, the top-ten compounds have been synthesized mainly using glucose and model organisms. Unconventional feedstocks (e.g. hemicellulosic sugars and CO2) and non-model organisms are increasingly gaining traction for advanced bioproduct synthesis due to their specialized metabolic modes. Judicious selection of the substrate-organism-product combination will illuminate the untapped territory of sustainable metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha O'Keeffe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Nian Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Junyoung O Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Collas F, Dronsella BB, Kubis A, Schann K, Binder S, Arto N, Claassens NJ, Kensy F, Orsi E. Engineering the biological conversion of formate into crotonate in Cupriavidus necator. Metab Eng 2023; 79:49-65. [PMID: 37414134 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
To advance the sustainability of the biobased economy, our society needs to develop novel bioprocesses based on truly renewable resources. The C1-molecule formate is increasingly proposed as carbon and energy source for microbial fermentations, as it can be efficiently generated electrochemically from CO2 and renewable energy. Yet, its biotechnological conversion into value-added compounds has been limited to a handful of examples. In this work, we engineered the natural formatotrophic bacterium C. necator as cell factory to enable biological conversion of formate into crotonate, a platform short-chain unsaturated carboxylic acid of biotechnological relevance. First, we developed a small-scale (150-mL working volume) cultivation setup for growing C. necator in minimal medium using formate as only carbon and energy source. By using a fed-batch strategy with automatic feeding of formic acid, we could increase final biomass concentrations 15-fold compared to batch cultivations in flasks. Then, we engineered a heterologous crotonate pathway in the bacterium via a modular approach, where each pathway section was assessed using multiple candidates. The best performing modules included a malonyl-CoA bypass for increasing the thermodynamic drive towards the intermediate acetoacetyl-CoA and subsequent conversion to crotonyl-CoA through partial reverse β-oxidation. This pathway architecture was then tested for formate-based biosynthesis in our fed-batch setup, resulting in a two-fold higher titer, three-fold higher productivity, and five-fold higher yield compared to the strain not harboring the bypass. Eventually, we reached a maximum product titer of 148.0 ± 6.8 mg/L. Altogether, this work consists in a proof-of-principle integrating bioprocess and metabolic engineering approaches for the biological upgrading of formate into a value-added platform chemical.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beau B Dronsella
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | | | - Karin Schann
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | | | | | - Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Enrico Orsi
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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Partipilo M, Whittaker JJ, Pontillo N, Coenradij J, Herrmann A, Guskov A, Slotboom DJ. Biochemical and structural insight into the chemical resistance and cofactor specificity of the formate dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella. FEBS J 2023; 290:4238-4255. [PMID: 37213112 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Formate dehydrogenases (Fdhs) mediate the oxidation of formate to carbon dioxide and concomitant reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ ). The low cost of the substrate formate and importance of the product NADH as a cellular source of reducing power make this reaction attractive for biotechnological applications. However, the majority of Fdhs are sensitive to inactivation by thiol-modifying reagents. In this study, we report a chemically resistant Fdh (FdhSNO ) from the soil bacterium Starkeya novella strictly specific for NAD+ . We present its recombinant overproduction, purification and biochemical characterization. The mechanistic basis of chemical resistance was found to be a valine in position 255 (rather than a cysteine as in other Fdhs) preventing the inactivation by thiol-modifying compounds. To further improve the usefulness of FdhSNO as for generating reducing power, we rationally engineered the protein to reduce the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+ ) with better catalytic efficiency than NAD+ . The single mutation D221Q enabled the reduction of NADP+ with a catalytic efficiency kCAT /KM of 0.4 s-1 ·mm-1 at 200 mm formate, while a quadruple mutant (A198G/D221Q/H379K/S380V) resulted in a fivefold increase in catalytic efficiency for NADP+ compared with the single mutant. We determined the cofactor-bound structure of the quadruple mutant to gain mechanistic evidence behind the improved specificity for NADP+ . Our efforts to unravel the key residues for the chemical resistance and cofactor specificity of FdhSNO may lead to wider use of this enzymatic group in a more sustainable (bio)manufacture of value-added chemicals, as for instance the biosynthesis of chiral compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Partipilo
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob J Whittaker
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicola Pontillo
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
- Polymer Chemistry and Bioengineering, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelmer Coenradij
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Polymer Chemistry and Bioengineering, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Groningen, The Netherlands
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Albert Guskov
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jan Slotboom
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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36
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Sarwar A, Lee EY. Methanol-based biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals using native and synthetic methylotrophs. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2023; 8:396-415. [PMID: 37384124 PMCID: PMC10293595 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanol has recently gained significant attention as a potential carbon substrate for the production of fuels and chemicals, owing to its high degree of reduction, abundance, and low price. Native methylotrophic yeasts and bacteria have been investigated for the production of fuels and chemicals. Alternatively, synthetic methylotrophic strains are also being developed by reconstructing methanol utilization pathways in model microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli. Owing to the complex metabolic pathways, limited availability of genetic tools, and methanol/formaldehyde toxicity, the high-level production of target products for industrial applications are still under development to satisfy commercial feasibility. This article reviews the production of biofuels and chemicals by native and synthetic methylotrophic microorganisms. It also highlights the advantages and limitations of both types of methylotrophs and provides an overview of ways to improve their efficiency for the production of fuels and chemicals from methanol.
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Dahlin LR, Meyers AW, Stefani SW, Webb EG, Wachter B, Subramanian V, Guarnieri MT. Heterologous expression of formate dehydrogenase enables photoformatotrophy in the emerging model microalga, Picochlorum renovo. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1162745. [PMID: 37706077 PMCID: PMC10497104 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1162745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rising global greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of resultant climate change necessitate development and deployment of carbon capture and conversion technologies. Amongst the myriad of bio-based conversion approaches under evaluation, a formate bio-economy has recently been proposed, wherein CO2-derived formate serves as a substrate for concurrent carbon and energy delivery to microbial systems. To date, this approach has been explored in chemolithotrophic and heterotrophic organisms via native or engineered formatotrophy. However, utilization of this concept in phototrophic organisms has yet to be reported. Herein, we have taken the first steps to establish formate utilization in Picochlorum renovo, a recently characterized eukaryotic microalga with facile genetic tools and promising applied biotechnology traits. Plastidial heterologous expression of a formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enabled P. renovo growth on formate as a carbon and energy source. Further, FDH expression enhanced cultivation capacity on ambient CO2, underscoring the potential for bypass of conventional CO2 capture and concentration limitations. This work establishes a photoformatotrophic cultivation regime that leverages light energy-driven formate utilization. The resultant photosynthetic formate platform has widespread implications for applied phototrophic cultivation systems and the bio-economy at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas R. Dahlin
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Alex W. Meyers
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Skylar W. Stefani
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Ellsbeth G. Webb
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Benton Wachter
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, United States
| | | | - Michael T. Guarnieri
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
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38
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Guo F, Qiao Y, Xin F, Zhang W, Jiang M. Bioconversion of C1 feedstocks for chemical production using Pichia pastoris. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1066-1079. [PMID: 36967258 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Bioconversion of C1 feedstocks for chemical production offers a promising solution to global challenges such as the energy and food crises and climate change. The methylotroph Pichia pastoris is an attractive host system for the production of both recombinant proteins and chemicals from methanol. Recent studies have also demonstrated its potential for utilizing CO2 through metabolic engineering or coupling with electrocatalysis. This review focuses on the bioconversion of C1 feedstocks for chemical production using P. pastoris. Herein the challenges and feasible strategies for chemical production in P. pastoris are discussed. The potential of P. pastoris to utilize other C1 feedstocks - including CO2 and formate - is highlighted, and new insights from the perspectives of synthetic biology and material science are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China
| | - Yangyi Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China
| | - Fengxue Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China.
| | - Wenming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China.
| | - Min Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, P.R. China
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39
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Gagnon JC, Beauregard-Tousignant S, Marcil JS, Lazar CS. Deep Isolated Aquifer Brines Harbor Atypical Halophilic Microbial Communities in Quebec, Canada. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1529. [PMID: 37628582 PMCID: PMC10454208 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The deep terrestrial subsurface, hundreds of meters to kilometers below the surface, is characterized by oligotrophic conditions, dark and often anoxic settings, with fluctuating pH, salinity, and water availability. Despite this, microbial populations are detected and active, contributing to biogeochemical cycles over geological time. Because it is extremely difficult to access the deep biosphere, little is known about the identity and metabolisms of these communities, although they likely possess unknown pathways and might interfere with deep waste deposits. Therefore, we analyzed rock and groundwater microbial communities from deep, isolated brine aquifers in two regions dating back to the Ordovician and Devonian, using amplicon and whole genome sequencing. We observed significant differences in diversity and community structure between both regions, suggesting an impact of site age and composition. The deep hypersaline groundwater did not contain typical halophilic bacteria, and genomes suggested pathways involved in protein and hydrocarbon degradation, and carbon fixation. We identified mainly one strategy to cope with osmotic stress: compatible solute uptake and biosynthesis. Finally, we detected many bacteriophage families, potentially indicating that bacteria are infected. However, we also found auxiliary metabolic genes in the viral genomes, probably conferring an advantage to the infected hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Gagnon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Québec at Montréal (UQAM), C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada; (J.-C.G.); (S.B.-T.)
- Interuniversity Research Group in Limnology/Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL), Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Samuel Beauregard-Tousignant
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Québec at Montréal (UQAM), C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada; (J.-C.G.); (S.B.-T.)
| | - Jean-Sébastien Marcil
- Derena Geosciences, Quebec, QC G7A 3Y5, Canada;
- Ressources Utica Inc., Quebec, QC G1V 4M7, Canada
| | - Cassandre Sara Lazar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Québec at Montréal (UQAM), C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada; (J.-C.G.); (S.B.-T.)
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40
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Arevalo Villa C, Marienhagen J, Noack S, Wahl SA. Achieving net zero CO 2 emission in the biobased production of reduced platform chemicals using defined co-feeding of methanol. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 82:102967. [PMID: 37441841 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation bioprocesses of a future bio-based economy will rely on a flexible mix of readily available feedstocks. Renewable energy can be used to generate sustainable CO2-derived substrates. Metabolic engineering already enables the functional implementation of different pathways for the assimilation of C1 substrates in various microorganisms. In addition to feedstocks, the benchmark for all future bioprocesses will be sustainability, including the avoidance of CO2 emissions. Here we review recent advances in the utilization of C1-compounds from different perspectives, considering both strain and bioprocess engineering technologies. In particular, we evaluate methanol as a co-feed for enabling the CO2 emission-free production of acetyl-CoA-derived compounds. The possible metabolic strategies are analyzed using stoichiometric modeling combined with thermodynamic analysis and prospects for industrial-scale implementation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Arevalo Villa
- Lehrstuhl für Bioverfahrenstechnik, Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Marienhagen
- Institute of Bio, and Geosciences (IBG-1): Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany; Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephan Noack
- Institute of Bio, and Geosciences (IBG-1): Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Aljoscha Wahl
- Lehrstuhl für Bioverfahrenstechnik, Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany.
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41
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Mitic BM, Mattanovich D, Hann S, Causon T. Tailored extraction and ion mobility-mass spectrometry enables isotopologue analysis of tetrahydrofolate vitamers. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023:10.1007/s00216-023-04786-5. [PMID: 37347300 PMCID: PMC10404201 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04786-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Climate change directs the focus in biotechnology increasingly on one-carbon metabolism for fixation of CO2 and CO2-derived chemicals (e.g. methanol, formate) to reduce our reliance on both fossil and food-competing carbon sources. The tetrahydrofolate pathway is involved in several one-carbon fixation pathways. To study such pathways, stable isotope-labelled tracer analysis performed with mass spectrometry is state of the art. However, no such method is currently available for tetrahydrofolate vitamers. In the present work, we established a fit-for-purpose extraction method for the methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii that allows access to intracellular methyl- and methenyl-tetrahydrofolate (THF) with demonstrated stability over several hours. To determine isotopologue distributions of methyl-THF, LC-QTOFMS provides a selective fragment ion with suitable intensity of at least two isotopologues in all samples, but not for methenyl-THF. However, the addition of ion mobility separation provided a critical selectivity improvement allowing accurate isotopologue distribution analysis of methenyl-THF with LC-IM-TOFMS. Application of these new methods for 13C-tracer experiments revealed a decrease from 83 ± 4 to 64 ± 5% in the M + 0 carbon isotopologue fraction in methyl-THF after 1 h of labelling with formate, and to 54 ± 5% with methanol. The M + 0 carbon isotopologue fraction of methenyl-THF was reduced from 83 ± 2 to 78 ± 1% over the same time when using 13C-methanol labelling. The labelling results of multiple strains evidenced the involvement of the THF pathway in the oxygen-tolerant reductive glycine pathway, the presence of the in vivo reduction of formate to formaldehyde, and the activity of the spontaneous condensation reaction of formaldehyde with THF in K. phaffii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd M Mitic
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Insitute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Diethard Mattanovich
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Hann
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Insitute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tim Causon
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Insitute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
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42
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Krüsemann JL, Rainaldi V, Cotton CA, Claassens NJ, Lindner SN. The cofactor challenge in synthetic methylotrophy: bioengineering and industrial applications. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 82:102953. [PMID: 37320962 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Methanol is a promising feedstock for industrial bioproduction: it can be produced renewably and has high solubility and limited microbial toxicity. One of the key challenges for its bio-industrial application is the first enzymatic oxidation step to formaldehyde. This reaction is catalysed by methanol dehydrogenases (MDH) that can use NAD+, O2 or pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) as an electron acceptor. While NAD-dependent MDH are simple to express and have the highest energetic efficiency, they exhibit mediocre kinetics and poor thermodynamics at ambient temperatures. O2-dependent methanol oxidases require high oxygen concentrations, do not conserve energy and thus produce excessive heat as well as toxic H2O2. PQQ-dependent MDH provide a good compromise between energy efficiency and good kinetics that support fast growth rates without any drawbacks for process engineering. Therefore, we argue that this enzyme class represents a promising solution for industry and outline engineering strategies for the implementation of these complex systems in heterologous hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan L Krüsemann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Vittorio Rainaldi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
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43
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Wood JC, Gonzalez-Garcia RA, Daygon D, Talbo G, Plan MR, Marcellin E, Virdis B. Characterisation of acetogen formatotrophic potential using Eubacterium limosum. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s00253-023-12600-6. [PMID: 37272938 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12600-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Formate is a promising energy carrier that could be used to transport renewable electricity. Some acetogenic bacteria, such as Eubacterium limosum, have the native ability to utilise formate as a sole substrate for growth, which has sparked interest in the biotechnology industry. However, formatotrophic metabolism in E. limosum is poorly understood, and a system-level characterisation in continuous cultures is yet to be reported. Here, we present the first steady-state dataset for E. limosum formatotrophic growth. At a defined dilution rate of 0.4 d-1, there was a high specific uptake rate of formate (280 ± 56 mmol/gDCW/d; gDCW = gramme dry cell weight); however, most carbon went to CO2 (150 ± 11 mmol/gDCW/d). Compared to methylotrophic growth, protein differential expression data and intracellular metabolomics revealed several key features of formate metabolism. Upregulation of phosphotransacetylase (Pta) appears to be a futile attempt of cells to produce acetate as the major product. Instead, a cellular energy limitation resulted in the accumulation of intracellular pyruvate and upregulation of pyruvate formate ligase (Pfl) to convert formate to pyruvate. Therefore, metabolism is controlled, at least partially, at the protein expression level, an unusual feature for an acetogen. We anticipate that formate could be an important one-carbon substrate for acetogens to produce chemicals rich in pyruvate, a metabolite generally in low abundance during syngas growth. KEY POINTS: First Eubacterium limosum steady-state formatotrophic growth omics dataset High formate specific uptake rate, however carbon dioxide was the major product Formate may be the cause of intracellular stress and biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamin C Wood
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB), The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - R Axayacatl Gonzalez-Garcia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Dara Daygon
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Metabolomics Australia (Queensland Node), The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Gert Talbo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Metabolomics Australia (Queensland Node), The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Manuel R Plan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Metabolomics Australia (Queensland Node), The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Metabolomics Australia (Queensland Node), The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Bernardino Virdis
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB), The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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44
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Liu J, Zhang H, Xu Y, Meng H, Zeng AP. Turn air-captured CO 2 with methanol into amino acid and pyruvate in an ATP/NAD(P)H-free chemoenzymatic system. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2772. [PMID: 37188719 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38490-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of gaseous and air-captured CO2 for technical biosynthesis is highly desired, but elusive so far due to several obstacles including high energy (ATP, NADPH) demand, low thermodynamic driving force and limited biosynthesis rate. Here, we present an ATP and NAD(P)H-free chemoenzymatic system for amino acid and pyruvate biosynthesis by coupling methanol with CO2. It relies on a re-engineered glycine cleavage system with the NAD(P)H-dependent L protein replaced by biocompatible chemical reduction of protein H with dithiothreitol. The latter provides a higher thermodynamic driving force, determines the reaction direction, and avoids protein polymerization of the rate-limiting enzyme carboxylase. Engineering of H protein to effectively release the lipoamide arm from a protected state further enhanced the system performance, achieving the synthesis of glycine, serine and pyruvate at g/L level from methanol and air-captured CO2. This work opens up the door for biosynthesis of amino acids and derived products from air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Liu
- Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yingying Xu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Meng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - An-Ping Zeng
- Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China.
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45
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Nattermann M, Wenk S, Pfister P, He H, Lee SH, Szymanski W, Guntermann N, Zhu F, Nickel L, Wallner C, Zarzycki J, Paczia N, Gaißert N, Franciò G, Leitner W, Gonzalez R, Erb TJ. Engineering a new-to-nature cascade for phosphate-dependent formate to formaldehyde conversion in vitro and in vivo. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2682. [PMID: 37160875 PMCID: PMC10170137 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38072-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Formate can be envisioned at the core of a carbon-neutral bioeconomy, where it is produced from CO2 by (electro-)chemical means and converted into value-added products by enzymatic cascades or engineered microbes. A key step in expanding synthetic formate assimilation is its thermodynamically challenging reduction to formaldehyde. Here, we develop a two-enzyme route in which formate is activated to formyl phosphate and subsequently reduced to formaldehyde. Exploiting the promiscuity of acetate kinase and N-acetyl-γ-glutamyl phosphate reductase, we demonstrate this phosphate (Pi)-based route in vitro and in vivo. We further engineer a formyl phosphate reductase variant with improved formyl phosphate conversion in vivo by suppressing cross-talk with native metabolism and interface the Pi route with a recently developed formaldehyde assimilation pathway to enable C2 compound formation from formate as the sole carbon source in Escherichia coli. The Pi route therefore offers a potent tool in expanding the landscape of synthetic formate assimilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Nattermann
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wenk
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pascal Pfister
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hai He
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Seung Hwan Lee
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Witold Szymanski
- Institute of Translational Proteomics, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nils Guntermann
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fayin Zhu
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Jan Zarzycki
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Paczia
- Core Facility for Metabolomics and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Giancarlo Franciò
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Walter Leitner
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Ramon Gonzalez
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Tobias J Erb
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany.
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Jia YL, Li J, Nong FT, Yan CX, Ma W, Zhu XF, Zhang LH, Sun XM. Application of Adaptive Laboratory Evolution in Lipid and Terpenoid Production in Yeast and Microalgae. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1396-1407. [PMID: 37084707 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Due to the complexity of metabolic and regulatory networks in microorganisms, it is difficult to obtain robust phenotypes through artificial rational design and genetic perturbation. Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) engineering plays an important role in the construction of stable microbial cell factories by simulating the natural evolution process and rapidly obtaining strains with stable traits through screening. This review summarizes the application of ALE technology in microbial breeding, describes the commonly used methods for ALE, and highlights the important applications of ALE technology in the production of lipids and terpenoids in yeast and microalgae. Overall, ALE technology provides a powerful tool for the construction of microbial cell factories, and it has been widely used in improving the level of target product synthesis, expanding the range of substrate utilization, and enhancing the tolerance of chassis cells. In addition, in order to improve the production of target compounds, ALE also employs environmental or nutritional stress strategies corresponding to the characteristics of different terpenoids, lipids, and strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lei Jia
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jin Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fang-Tong Nong
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Yan
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wang Ma
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Li-Hui Zhang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiao-Man Sun
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
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47
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Recent progress in the synthesis of advanced biofuel and bioproducts. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 80:102913. [PMID: 36854202 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Energy is one of the most complex fields of study and an issue that influences nearly every aspect of modern life. Over the past century, combustion of fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector, has been the dominant form of energy release. Refining of petroleum and natural gas into liquid transportation fuels is also the centerpiece of the modern chemical industry used to produce materials, solvents, and other consumer goods. In the face of global climate change, the world is searching for alternative, sustainable means of producing energy carriers and chemical building blocks. The use of biofuels in engines predates modern refinery optimization and today represents a small but significant fraction of liquid transportation fuels burnt each year. Similarly, white biotechnology has been used to produce many natural products through fermentation. The evolution of recombinant DNA technology into modern synthetic biology has expanded the scope of biofuels and bioproducts that can be made by biocatalysts. This opinion examines the current trends in this research space, highlighting the substantial growth in computational tools and the growing influence of renewable electricity in the design of metabolic engineering strategies. In short, advanced biofuel and bioproduct synthesis remains a vibrant and critically important field of study whose focus is shifting away from the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass toward a broader consideration of how to reduce carbon dioxide to fuels and chemical products.
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48
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Xu P, Li J, Qian J, Wang B, Liu J, Xu R, Chen P, Zhou W. Recent advances in CO 2 fixation by microalgae and its potential contribution to carbon neutrality. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 319:137987. [PMID: 36720412 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Many countries and regions have set their schedules to achieve the carbon neutrality between 2030 and 2070. Microalgae are capable of efficiently fixing CO2 and simultaneously producing biomass for multiple applications, which is considered one of the most promising pathways for carbon capture and utilization. This work reviews the current research on microalgae CO2 fixation technologies and the challenges faced by the related industries and government agencies. The technoeconomic analysis indicates that cultivation is the major cost factor. Use of waste resources such as wastewater and flue gas can significantly reduce the costs and carbon footprints. The life cycle assessment has identified fossil-based electricity use as the major contributor to the global warming potential of microalgae-based CO2 fixation approach. Substantial efforts and investments are needed to identify and bridge the gaps among the microalgae strain development, cultivation conditions and systems, and use of renewable resources and energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peilun Xu
- School of Resources and Environment, And Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Resources and Environment, And Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jun Qian
- School of Resources and Environment, And Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Bang Wang
- School of Resources and Environment, And Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory for Algae Biotechnology and Innovation, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Jiangxi Ganneng Co., Ltd., Nanchang, 330096, China
| | - Paul Chen
- Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
| | - Wenguang Zhou
- School of Resources and Environment, And Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
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49
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Wu R, Li F, Cui X, Li Z, Ma C, Jiang H, Zhang L, Zhang YHPJ, Zhao T, Zhang Y, Li Y, Chen H, Zhu Z. Enzymatic Electrosynthesis of Glycine from CO 2 and NH 3. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202218387. [PMID: 36759346 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202218387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatic electrosynthesis has gained more and more interest as an emerging green synthesis platform, particularly for the fixation of CO2 . However, the simultaneous utilization of CO2 and a nitrogenous molecule for the enzymatic electrosynthesis of value-added products has never been reported. In this study, we constructed an in vitro multienzymatic cascade based on the reductive glycine pathway and demonstrated an enzymatic electrocatalytic system that allowed the simultaneous conversion of CO2 and NH3 as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources to synthesize glycine. Through effective coupling and the optimization of electrochemical cofactor regeneration and the multienzymatic cascade reaction, 0.81 mM glycine was yielded with a highest reaction rate of 8.69 mg L-1 h-1 and faradaic efficiency of 96.8 %. These results imply a promising alternative for enzymatic CO2 electroreduction and expand its products to nitrogenous chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Wu
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
| | - Fei Li
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
- Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, 21 West 15th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Zehua Li
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chunling Ma
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
| | - Huifeng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Heng P Job Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
| | - Tongxin Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Yanping Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Yin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 West Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, P. R. China
| | - Zhiguang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, P. R. China
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50
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Li SH, Kang I, Cho JC. Metabolic Versatility of the Family Halieaceae Revealed by the Genomics of Novel Cultured Isolates. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0387922. [PMID: 36916946 PMCID: PMC10100682 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03879-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The family Halieaceae (OM60/NOR5 clade) is a gammaproteobacterial group abundant and cosmopolitan in coastal seawaters and plays an important role in response to phytoplankton blooms. However, the ecophysiology of this family remains understudied because of the vast gap between phylogenetic diversity and cultured representatives. Here, using six pure cultured strains isolated from coastal seawaters, we performed in-depth genomic analyses to provide an overview of the phylogeny and metabolic capabilities of this family. The combined analyses of 16S rRNA genes, genome sequences, and functional genes relevant to taxonomy demonstrated that each strain represents a novel species. Notably, two strains belonged to the hitherto-uncultured NOR5-4 and NOR5-12 subclades. Metabolic reconstructions revealed that the six strains likely have aerobic chemo- or photoheterotrophic lifestyles; five of them possess genes for proteorhodopsin or aerobic anoxygenic phototrophy. The presence of blue- or green-tuned proteorhodopsin in Halieaceae suggested their ability to adapt to light conditions varying with depth or coastal-to-open ocean transition. In addition to the genes of anaplerotic CO2 fixation, genes encoding a complete reductive glycine pathway for CO2 fixation were found in three strains. Putative polysaccharide utilization loci were detected in three strains, suggesting the association with phytoplankton blooms. Read mapping of various metagenomes and metatranscriptomes showed that the six strains are widely distributed and transcriptionally active in marine environments. Overall, the six strains genomically characterized in this study expand the phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of Halieaceae and likely serve as a culture resource for investigating the ecophysiological features of this environmentally relevant bacterial group. IMPORTANCE Although the family Halieaceae (OM60/NOR5 clade) is an abundant and cosmopolitan clade widely found in coastal seas and involved in interactions with phytoplankton, a limited number of cultured isolates are available. In this study, we isolated six pure cultured Halieaceae strains from coastal seawaters and performed a comparative physiological and genomic analysis to give insights into the phylogeny and metabolic potential of this family. The cultured strains exhibited diverse metabolic potential by harboring genes for anaplerotic CO2 fixation, proteorhodopsin, and aerobic anoxygenic phototrophy. Polysaccharide utilization loci detected in some of these strains also indicated an association with phytoplankton blooms. The cultivation of novel strains of Halieaceae and their genomic characteristics largely expanded the phylogenetic and metabolic diversity, which is important for future ecophysiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Hui Li
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilnam Kang
- Center for Molecular and Cell Biology, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jang-Cheon Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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